My Penang Solo Stumble 09 ~ Fort Cornwallis, Georgetown

On my last day in Penang, I finally hit the street real hard to look for all the monumental and heritage sites. I mean, what else in Penang aside from food and beaches if you don’t see all the famous UNESCO – declared heritage? 

Fort Cornwallis is the largest standing fort in Malaysia, was gazetted on Sept 8, 1977, under the Antiquities Act 168/ 1976, as an Ancient Monument and Historic site and has been established as one of the protected heritage site under UNESCO. Located at the Padang Kota Lama, off lebuh Light, the star shaped fort welcomed its visitor by the statue of Francis Light itself, the man responsible for the possession of the Penang Island and erecting this fort. It was built in 1786 and completed in 1810, reputedly was where Light himself first landed. The fort was christened “Cornwallis” after the late 18th century Governor-General of Bengal, India, Charles Marquis Cornwallis.

The fort is equipped with its own light house, chapel, cells, cannons and artillery storage, supposedly to protect the British royal artillery troops from possible French attacks. The fort later became administrative base for British troops in Penang. In the entire history of its existence however, no battle has ever took place. 

  The light house and its history.

 The cannons along the fort.

 Artillery storage (left).

 The cells.

The cells have been converted into historical gallery now.

The famous cannon - Sri Rambai, is believed to possess magical powers for boosting women’s fertility. Originally given by the Dutch to the Sultan of Johore, the cannon repeatedly changed owners and locations (Portuguese, Java, Acheh) until the British finally seized it and placed it at the fort.

The Chapel at Fort Cornwallis was built in 1799. The first recorded marriage here took place that same year when John Timmers married Martina Rozells, the widow of Francis Light.

The famous Queen Victoria Memorial Clock Tower is just next to the fort itself at the busy round - a - bout between Lebuh Light and Lebuh Pantai.

 Nearby the fort, many beca will be waiting for tourists. They are willing to take you around the UNESCO sites for a certain fee. Somehow they are not that willing to take locals, me for example. I was pissed of after 2 turned me down and so took my air - conditioned car instead to continue my tour. It's not my lost.